The Home Machinist!

Hey, guys! I've owned my Sag 12 Graziano lathe since 1967. It's been a pretty decent machine, with few problems. Unfortunately, clutch failure is one of them, albeit they are quite reliable. When they fail, the clutch proper is generally in great condition, and mine is no exception. It could easily ...

High speed cutting tools are very much a part of machining, especially in the home shop, where operators often have shallow pockets and can not afford to invest in thousands of dollars in insert tooling. Skill at the bench grinder, combined with the proper wheel, will serve the home shop machinist ...

Yep, me too....ive been a toolmaker for 40 years...cut my teeth on manuel with no d.r.o......im just now getting into cnc....sure is a different world, for this old dog to learn new tricks...lol Yep! Same for me, although with a slightly different background. Lots of production in my history, along...

Some A36 plate, grind a treppening tool for the lathe so I can cut the centers out without waste, That's an excellent way to approach the problem, but it's not as easy as it sounds for folks who don't have robust machines. You're caught in a situation where a broad tool requires a lot of rigidity t...

What Nyle said. If an individual builds a hobby engine with longevity in mind, it may well enjoy a long lifespan without any major maintenance, which can't be said for engines built with minimum standards. Hardened pins, steel tires and other "luxuries" may well spell the difference between successf...

Don't overlook the use of urethane. A proper fitting urethane bushing trapped between two washers on a threaded rod will expand a tube, even when there's irregularities in the tube plate. Urethane, unlike rubber, tends to stay together and does not extrude. You have the added option of expanding the...

Yep...lol....ive buult all my locomotives on.a mill and lathe with no d.r.o......it can be done...lol Are you sure? :D I've commented time and again. I started in the (commercial) shop back in '57, when there was no such luxury. We learned to use and trust screws. Strangely, we managed. Even turned...

I remember Big Dave, but missed his passing. I haven't posted here in quite a while but I do stop by and read every so often. Good to hear from you, Victor. It's been a while. Too many of my local friends and acquaintances have gone. True! Here, too. I was looking for the old folks recently, and di...

There's another condition to address when heat treating, especially if the heating process is long and drawn out. It's called decarburization, whereby the surface is depleted of carbon, so it won't harden. Hot rolled tool steels are often sold in what us known as a decarb free state, where, after fi...

Mr Ron wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:28 am

The only time I turn on the TV is when I go to bed. It helps me fall asleep quickly.

That works for me, too. I've found it prevents my mind from wandering.

H

Our numbers (the old timers) are dwindling. Prior to Big Dave's departure, we lost hammermill as well.

H

What and how much you actually do is to be considered first. I can attest to you if you learn about insert tooling from a reputable dealer or truly educated Machinist you will find inserts are not nearly as pricey as you may think. They will save you money if you do much. Longer life, Better finish...